Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

The Effect Of Cutting Condition Selection On Tool Life In Sand Milling, Craig Ertl

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was completed to address the problem of determining what effect selected cutting conditions have on tool wear and tool life in robotic sand milling (RSM) operations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the tool wear mechanisms and characteristics that govern the RSM process. The purpose was also to establish an experimental methodology that may be used in future studies to assess tool life when examining various tooling materials and designs, as well as additional sand workpiece materials. Completing this research allowed the machining process to be optimized by analyzing differences in tooling cost with variable values …

An Investigation On How Operational Wind Turbines Are Used In Secondary Classrooms, James Smith

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Through a review of literature, it was found that many schools in the United States are installing operational wind turbines, but it was unclear how teachers were using them in their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classrooms. In order to identify how these operational wind turbines were being used and to create a list of expectations for schools with operational wind turbines, this exploratory study surveyed STEM teachers from all across the United States. A stratified random sample was created using a U.S. Department of Energy database of schools with operational wind turbines. Administrators from the selected schools identified …

Modeling And Analysis Of Grid-Connected Solar-Wind Hybrid Power System, Sultan Altamimi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Renewable energies are considered to be a significant part of the energy mix to assist the existing electricity demand and the future of electrical generation. Electrical power simulation software is increasingly being used to answer and determine the source of potential problems in the actual power system. To have a better understanding of an electrical power system, it is essential to validate all the components through simulation within an environment that allows accurate modeling of all power system components. This research presents modeling and analysis of an actual grid-connected solar-wind hybrid system at University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar …

Robotic Manufacturing Cell: An Analysis Of Variables Affecting Performance, Elvis Alicic

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Analyzing the performance of manufacturing cells is a well established concept. The justification for conducting thorough analyses of manufacturing cells comes from the known advantages it can provide, including performance improvement and production planning improvement, both current and future. This study focuses on assessing the variables affecting performance of a robotic manufacturing cell through the measure of throughput. Initially, simulation modeling is utilized to model an existing robotic cell and compare the output to actual production output from the same cell. Additionally, general regression modeling is employed to analyze the following variables and their effect on throughput: machine downtime, off-plan …

The Integration Of Wind Energy In The Electrical Grid During The Contingencies, Islam Ali

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As wind energy expansion develops, there are also many problems and challenges to connect the wind farms to the grid. There are many different interactions during the connection like the voltage flicker, harmonics, transient, short circuit current, frequency, and safety protection. Those problems may affect the performance of the grid and may cause serious problems. This study investigates the grid-connection problems for the wind turbines and offers appropriate solutions. This study provides a simulation for the power system during the faults. The electrical grid in the simulation contains generators and wind turbines which are connected to the grid. It also …

Coolant Fluid In A Turning Operation: Soybean Coolant Fluid In Different Concentrations Versus Petroleum Coolant Fluid, Mary Esther Eckman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The manufacturing sector today's market felt the need to reduce costs along with the ability to be more "green."

Traditionally petroleum based fluids are used in the manufacturing industry. However they are environmentally more harmful as well as cause significant hazards to the operator. This thesis will provide a case study for this sector to become more environmentally friendly with the use of a soybean based cutting fluid. To prove the point a number of tests were performed turning 4140 steel on a CNC turning center. A number of tests were conducted to provide a comparative study of dry, petroleum …

An Investigation On In-Process Spc Sampling Frequency For Shaft Bearing Turning Process, Jiaxu Chu

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The machining processes have the uniqueness of discrete production and flexible scheduling as cellular manufacturing design. To ensure the quality of machining products, control charts for Statistical Process Control (SPC) has been implemented in the company to monitor the machining process. Sampling is an essential part of data collection for SPC control charts and sampling should be done for machining processes becomes an issue in the company.

This study focused on the investigation of SPC sampling frequencies for shaft bearing turning process using the technique of Average Production Length (APL). The purpose of the study was to identify the SPC …

An Occupational Analysis Of Prepress In The Des Moines And Eastern Iowa Regions, Lee John Geisinger

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It is important that educators use a relevant, up-to-date curriculum when educating on a specific occupation. Job task analysis is an effective way for educators to understand an occupation and provide students with valuable information. This study analyzed prepress technicians' duties and tasks.

This research used the occupational analysis method called the DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process. The DACUM process uses an expert worker panel to identify the duties and tasks of an occupation. This study found that there are 9 duties and 55 tasks for a prepress technician. After identifying the duties and tasks, the study confirmed those duties …

Quality Costing Knowledge, Attitudes, And Perceptions In A Small Manufacturing Company, Adam M. Benner

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this research was to identify and assess employee knowledge, attitude, and perception of quality costing in a manufacturing company. The company selected for this research was a small manufacturer of agricultural processing equipment with an undeveloped quality management program. A quality costs questionnaire was discovered from a review of the literature and was slightly modified to gather data from a sample of company employees. The following information was collected from employees: knowledge of common quality costing terminology, attitude towards quality and non-quality concepts, and perception of departments associated with quality costs and the scale of quality costs …

Preliminary Investigation Of Metallurgical Structure And Mechanical Properties Of Cast Iron With High Aluminum Content, Pavel Bizyukov

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem addressed in this study analyzed various properties of cast iron with high aluminum content. This grade of cast iron was projected for use in the automotive industry. The benefits provided with high aluminum content are lower specific gravity and relatively inexpensive source materials with the potential of achieving high temperature properties.

The purpose of the study was to select suitable source materials and determine an effective melting technique, to investigate metallurgical structure and mechanical properties at given chemical composition, and, finally, to provide elaborate results.

The design of the experiment included the following steps: (a) selection and preparation …

Analysis Of Factors Causing Failure Mode For Automotive Hitch Control System Calibration In Agriculture Equipment, Setordji Yao Abotsi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Traditionally, agricultural tractors have used hydro-mechanical draft control systems to mechanically sense implement draft. Technological development of low cost, reliable microprocessors has contributed to allowing greater flexibility in designing agricultural tractor control systems (Rutkowski & Welchens, 1986). To successfully control the depth of which an implement penetrates the ground, it has become imperative to incorporate a draft control system on agricultural tractors. The control system operates by responding to the draft load or force acting on the tractor. Increasing the draft load or force allows the implement to be raised and decreasing the draft load or force allows the implement …

Guidelines For Deploying Wireless Sensor Network In Manufacturing: Star Topology Study Using The Rssi To Test The Network Performance, A. Hameed Madwar

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are varying in kinds and can be used for many purposes. It can be extensively used in monitoring, reporting, and decision routines. Therefore, WSNs are very important to integrate with manufacturing since they can help not only in monitoring and decision making but also they can increase productivity and decrease the wiring costs. However, WSNs are facing some challenges in manufacturing as they need to resist the interferences that could be generated by the electrical and mechanical fields created during the manufacturing processes. Some of these interferences could be due to the high temperatures, blocks of …

Machining Process Changes As A Function Of Surface Roughness, Specific To Machining Cylindrical Bores, Thomas Patrick Olsen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Manufacturing professionals are challenged everyday to produce products to higher quality standards in a way that is economical and efficient. Manufacturing needs to minimize non value added costs such as reducing inventory, (non machined and finished goods), reduce work in process, and most of all eliminate waste. To exist, customers must be satisfied at the time of purchase and throughout the products lifecycle. To be competitive and remain a world class manufacture, companies must be flexible and be willing to change. Single point flexible manufacturing versus fixed spindle rigid machining greatly improves the ability to make changes. If a process …

An Investigation Into Microwave Energy To Soften Scrap Tire Rubber Aiding Existing Mechanical Separation Processes, Russell Jon Lucas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research was performed to soften scrap tires to aid in their transformation from whole tires to valuable streams of rubber and steel for reuse in industry. Actual shredded scrap rubber was used in this experiment to determine if this highly variable material could yield consistent results if subjected to volumetric heating from a magnetron emitting microwave energy.

A consumer microwave oven was used to heat this material. This oven had its control circuitry modified by using a programmable logic controller to operate the energy exposure time. The sample's surface temperature was measured utilizing a non contact infrared thermometer. All …

Effects Of The Use Of Soybean Oil As Cutting Fluid On The Surface Finish For Turning Operations, Carlos Alberto TeráN Yengle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Concerns about the long term supply of petroleum, the instability of its prices, and growing environmental issues have led to a variety of legislative and public support for the use of agricultural commodities in industrial applications. This study is of importance because of environmental and health hazards concerns, and the possibility of reducing operating costs with the elimination of disposal of used cutting oil that the use of biodegradable oil offers to the metal-cutting operations.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the use of an experimental soybean-based oil as a cutting fluid on surface finish …

Inventory Simulation And Optimization Using System Dynamics, Structural Modeling Equations And Genetic Algorithms In The Drivetrain Division Of An Automotive Manufacturer, Marco Sisfontes-Monge

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Strategic planning and control are among the most critical activities that modern enterprises require to succeed in the global economy. This research is an original study that investigated the combination of tools and methodologies in order to apply them to a midwestern tractor manufacturer. The current study identified the constraints applicable to a polishing line in the Drivetrain Division of a major tractor manufacturer interested in exploring alternative techniques to improve its worldwide manufacturing operations.

The specific questions that this project tried to respond are stated as follows:

1. What were the most important variables that affected inventory levels of an …

Application Of Artificial Neural Networks To Sensitivity Analysis And Modeling Of Small Office Buildings, Quan Tang

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Sensitivity analysis and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) are the most extensively used techniques in studying the input-output relationship in building thermal systems. However, both MLR and most methods for sensitivity analysis do not account for nonlinear components embedded in building energy systems. Thus, their results might be distorted.

In this study, the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) technique was applied to sensitivity analysis and modeling of an imaginary small office in order to (a) examine how the annual energy consumption responded to 40 building design parameters and evaluate relative contributions of these parameters to the variation of the building energy performance, …

Pre-Inoculation Effect Of Sic In Production Of Thin Wall Ductile Iron Castings, Nikolay Y. Laukhin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Pre-inoculation effect of SiC additions and its effect on castability, microstructure, and magnesium recovery in thin wall ductile iron plates have been studied. Experimental results were compared with alternative FeSi75 furnace pre-inoculation additions.

The first series of experiments aimed to set the baseline of iron quality, when using FeSi75 pre-inoculant

In the second series of experiment, different methods of introduction of Sic into liquid iron were studied. It was established that Sic added into the stream during the tapping into the flow-through chamber or added directly into the flow-through chamber produced lower Si recovery. The most effective method of introduction …

Lithographers' Opinions About Waterless Lithography, Devang Pranlal Mehta

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purposes of this study were to identify the advantages and disadvantages of waterless litho in comparison with traditional litho, to solve the controversial issues, to forecast the growth of waterless litho, and to inform graphic arts professionals about it. The problem of this research was to identify and measure perceived controversial issues for using the waterless litho process. These controversial issues were related to the return on investment and operating costs involved, productivity, quality of images, eco-friendliness, and technical problems associated with waterless litho.

Due to the fact that waterless litho was a developing technology and some controversial issues …

Effects Of Refrigeration And Cryogenic Treatments On Austempered Ductile Iron, Gerard R. Thiel

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Low temperature treatment, as a method of improving mechanical properties of metals, has been studied and used for well over 60 years. Until recently these treatments have been limited to hardness and wear improvements of high alloy irons and steels. The purpose of this research is to determine the effects of refrigeration and cryogenic treatments on the mechanical properties, including hardness and tensile strength of austempered ductile iron.

This research included the production of a high strength ductile iron of low alloy content capable of being used in either the as cast, conventionally heat treated or austempered condition. Refrigeration and …

Identification Of Success Factors In The Implementation Of Computer-Integrated Manufacturing, Dean Harold Jensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The review of recent literature showed a clear trend within the manufacturing sector toward the integration of design and production activities through increased application of the computer. The competitive advantages of computer integration were reported, as well as increased risk due to the amount of time and capital expended in system implementation. The identification of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) success factors may reduce this risk.

Prior efforts to identify success factors for other areas of endeavor showed that success factors tended to vary with the four project phases, but were stable over time within a particular phase. More recently, empirical …

Perceived Importance Of Iso 9000 Factors As Indicators Of Quality In Industrial Technology Related Programs At Four-Year State Regional Universities, Floyd L. Olson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Industry has often used a quality standard known as ISO 9000. No evidence has been located demonstrating the applicability of an industrial quality model to a singular academic department. The problem of this study was to determine if the guidelines for ISO 9004-2 could have been considered appropriate for Industrial Technology related programs and how they could have been used to indicate quality within such programs.

The purpose of this study was to seek knowledge relating the importance of ISO 9004-2 guidelines to audit and/or improve the quality management of Industrial Technology related departments at 4-year state regional universities. This …

A Wear Analysis Study Of Selected Alternative Foundry Tooling Materials Using Impact Abrasion Testing, L. Fred Vondra

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to simulate the wear characteristics of foundry tooling using an impact abrasion test apparatus. The wear characteristic was exhibited by non-metallic materials and was measured as a function of percentage weight loss and was benchmarked against Class 30 gray iron. The research question focused on whether or not a non-metallic material exists that exhibits comparable or superior wear characteristics to Class 30 gray iron for possible consideration as tooling materials for foundry applications. The information obtained adds to knowledge and is useful to foundry professionals in making tooling decisions.

The 34 test materials were …

Factors Affecting The Development Of Unassigned Patents In Iowa, Diane Darlene Wheeler Schou

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Inventors granted patents from 1975 to 1990 in Iowa identified, via a questionnaire, where they perceived their invention on Bright's scale of eight stages of development. Stages were: idea, rationalization (has merit), experimentation, demonstration of prototypes, working model, commercial (market entry), commercial acceptance (sales), and commercial proliferation (other markets). The questions identified factors affecting development. The factors included: resources assisting development, events influencing start-up, sources of money for development, method of manufacturing, experiences with manufacturers, marketing techniques, sales, profit/loss, concerns, patent renewals, and age of patents. Open-ended questions allowed for additional comments.

Commercial acceptance or commercial proliferation was achieved by …

The Importance Of Technology Assessment Procedures For Missionary Trainees, James Michael Hoeksema

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to identify those technology assessment (TA) procedures that are most important to teach to missionary trainees. This was based on the perceptions of the chief executive officers of U.S. Protestant mission agencies.

A survey was used to collect the research data. A total of 175 usable survey instruments were returned (25.6%). Analysis of the data consisted of frequency distributions and Chi-square.

A "common core" of TA procedures which are being used by mission agencies was identified. These were: (a) on-site field investigation, (b) committee meetings, (c) brainstorming, (d) personal interviews, (e) review of related …

Competencies Required Of Baccalaureate Degree Graduates From Graphic Communications Programs, Eldon B. Swanson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem of this study was to identify and validate a list of competencies that may be used by graphic communications educators as the basis for curricula development that meets the needs of the contemporary graphic communications industry. The purpose of this study was to provide the graphic communications educator with a comprehensive, prioritized, and logically clustered list of competencies required of baccalaureate degree graduates from graphic communications programs as perceived by representatives from the graphic communications industry and graphic communications educators.

The survey instrument used for this study is based on a seven point graphic rating scale on which …

Computer Usage In The Construction Industry And Construction Education, Stephen Douglas Stulken

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The rapid growth of computer usage in American society, and in the construction industry in particular, has important implications for construction education programs. There is a lack of current information about computer usage in the construction industry. Without this information, construction educators are less likely to provide students with relevant computer competencies that relate to the needs of the construction industry.

The objective of this study was to determine to what extent construction education programs provide the necessary computer competencies for their students. This was accomplished by comparing the current status of computer usage in the construction industry with computer-related …

Self-Perceived Benefits Which Occur As The Result Of Kimberly-Clark's Health Management Program, Richard Lee Langford

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine if employee participants in Kimberly-Clark's Health Management Program perceived benefits from their participation that have affected their lifestyles, both at work and outside of work.

The population for this study consisted of all salaried employees of Kimberly-Clark in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin who have been participants within the Health Service Center for at least six months at an adherence level of two days per week or more. A random sample of this population was used to conduct the survey. A total of 130 employees were surveyed.

The research study was of …

A Study Of Industrial Arts Teachers' Opinions Of Gifted And Talented Students In Black Hawk County, Iowa, James Robert Wrona

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

While the handicapped and disadvantaged have enjoyed the benefit of some unique industrial arts educational programming, relatively little has been done to provide for the special educational needs of gifted and talented students. This may be partially a result of little research completed associating the gifted and talented student with industrial arts. Additionally, legislative support for gifted and talented students has been lacking. It was not until 1978, with the passage of Public Law 95-561, that programs for gifted and talented students have been granted some funding on the federal level. Although this public law can authorize up to $35 …

The Effects Of A Kinesthetic Training Program On The Acquisition Of Industrial Skills Among University Students, John V. Mockler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Training workers for specific jobs is receiving much attention in industry. The demand for skilled workers is increasing constantly and as this happens newer and more efficient methods of training are sought In the psychomotor/sensory area. skills that appear to offer a wide amount of transferability are those dealing with fine sensitivity, manual dexterity, and coordination. Even though these skills lend themselves well to training, this area is somewhat deficient in current educational and training programs (Sjogren, 1977, p.23). Presently, on-the-job training is widely used for training workers in the actual tasks they will perform during their job.

The process …